The Link Between Crohn’s Disease and a Higher Risk of Blood Clots

Earlier this year, after a lengthy hospital stay, I developed several pulmonary embolisms, or artery blockages in the lungs. I was told at the time that the pulmonary emboli developed for two reasons: First, I was mostly bedbound for seven weeks. Second, Crohn's disease had put me at a higher risk of blood clotting.
Later, I returned to the hospital and was diagnosed with lupus anticoagulant antibodies disorder (LAAD), a type of antiphospholipid antibody syndrome. No, this does not mean that I have lupus. LAAD is found in various autoimmune diseases, including Crohn's.
What are lupus anticoagulant antibodies and what does it mean to have them?
Lupus anticoagulant antibodies are blood proteins produced by the immune system to protect cell membranes from lipids. Anticoagulants usually thin the blood, but lupus anticoagulant antibodies place the blood at a higher risk of developing clots.
How are lupus anticoagulant antibodies linked to Crohn’s disease?
Lupus anticoagulant antibodies can be caused by medications or certain medical conditions such as infections, tumors, or autoimmune disorders that include inflammatory bowel disease. This is one reason people with Crohn’s may be more likely to develop blood clots.
It’s easy to find out if you may be dealing with a blood-clotting issue. Getting tested for lupus anticoagulant antibodies involves a series of simple blood tests. Results take a few days. What’s interesting is that Crohn’s basically is caused by the immune system mistakenly attacking the digestive system. With lupus anticoagulant antibodies, the immune system attacks the body's own cells. It’s all connected by a dysfunctional immune system.
What are the symptoms of having a blood clot?
Depending on the type of blood clot, symptoms

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